A rally of vintage military vehicles will be in Atlantic on May 16th. Steve Livengood, organizer of the “Badda-badda-bing-bang Rally” (Pronounced bah-duh bah-duh Bing Bang), says military vehicles and enthusiasts from all over will be coming to town on Armed Forces Day. Livengood says – as of May 1st – he anticipates 28 vehicles will be parked in the Atlantic Armory parking lot, including half-tracks, 10-jeeps and a motorcycle, to name a few.

Steve Livengood (right) talks with KJAN’s Jim Field about the rally.

Livengood is one of 16 Steel Soldiers members in Iowa (www.steelsoldiers.com). He volunteered to host the event in Atlantic, since there aren’t any rallies planned in the state. He says military vehicle collectors and enthusiasts love to show off their possessions and view others’ collections. As proof, several are coming from Des Moines, at least one will make the trip from Illinois, and a group based in Nebraska is planning on coming.

The event runs from 10-a.m. until 4-p.m., on the 16th, with the vehicles arriving the day before in preparation for the rally, and gathering at the American Legion Building. Livengood says the public can come to view the collection from 11-am until 3-pm., because of the influx of vehicles that will be moving around in the downtown area.

Rally participants will cruise the town beginning at 3:30-p.m. May 16th, with cannons signaling the start of the 5.6-mile cruise. There’s also a meal planned for the participants, as well as a scavenger hunt. For more information, go to www.atlanticiowa.com.